Researchers at the University of Texas in the US have developed DETree, a new machine learning-based system that may help predict the future course of Alzheimer’s disease in people with Alzheimer’s disease. results published In Pharmacological Research (Pharm Res).
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 55 million people worldwide have dementia. The most common form is Alzheimer’s disease, an incurable disease that causes brain function to deteriorate.
Alzheimer’s disease can affect the psychological, social and economic aspects of the lives of not only patients but also their caregivers. As symptoms of the disease progress over time, it is important for both patients and their caregivers to be prepared for the possible need to exert greater effort to control the disease.
The new DETRee diagnostic system is based on machine learning algorithms. These are computational models that allow computers to understand patterns and make predictions or decisions based on available data. Using health information provided to the patient, the system can determine when Alzheimer’s symptoms will become more severe.
Scientists have already tested DETree using data from 266 people with Alzheimer’s disease. DETRee’s predictions were then compared to other methods commonly used to evaluate Alzheimer’s patients. The new system has demonstrated greater accuracy and efficiency.
The researchers also noted that these improvements could potentially help predict the progression of other diseases with various stages of clinical development. These include Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Previously recognizedVision problems may be symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.